Lazarus

Intro

John 11

Jesus had to go through a lot in His life walking the earth. He is God in the flesh, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Son of David. He alone lived a sinless life making His sacrifice acceptable to the Father, which pays the price for the sins of the whole world. When He walked this earth, He performed signs and wonders beyond imagination. He came teaching the people about God in a way that they had never heard before. And as you read scripture, a question I ask you is this, was it His teaching or His miracles that drew the crowds?

Jesus’ miraculous ministry was an integral part of what He did, but arguably, His teaching ministry was vastly superior in that it had repercussions that reverberate through history until today! He came to show us a better way and the miracles were validation that He was right in His teachings and that He indeed was sent by God.

As we have walked through a good portion of the gospel of John so far, we have reached a point at which a shift occurs. Whereas most of what we have seen has taken place in and around Capernaum, Jesus’ ministry now shifts to Judea, to Bethany, and more specifically to Jerusalem. John’s gospel spends a great deal of time describing and addressing the events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. Chapter 11 describes how Jesus came to be in Judea, despite the growing opposition and threat of death that awaited Him there.

Lazarus is the one whom Jesus resurrected from the dead. Lazarus appears to have been acommon enough name in ancient times that it is used to describe two different people in the gospels. Lazarus as we will look in our passage was a real man living in Bethany with a pair of sisters, who are also well-known in their own right. But Jesus told a parable about another Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 where a rich man and a Lazarus both died and a drama unfolds where the rich man requests for Lazarus to come with some water and ease his torment.

The story we are looking at today reveals a great deal about Jesus and His heart for His followers. It shows that God’s plans are important and that they don’t always align with our wishes and desires. And yet in the midst of what seems like tragedy, Jesus’ heart and compassion for those experiencing tremendous loss and hardship is on full display. And Jesus’ continued miraculous ministry places Him closer to His ultimate objective, which unfortunately also stirs up opposition.

Jesus mission is to save the lost. Resurrecting Lazarus was a small step on that path that demonstrates Jesus’ authority over death itself revealing that for Jesus, death means little more than a nap. His attitude is completely different and because He came and conquered the grave, we too, can have that same attitude and perspective on death that Jesus had.

(Consider re-working this final paragraph and refining the main point).

Lazarus Dies

John 11:1–16 NASB95

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”

I want to note that John introduces Lazarus in connection with his sisters. John is presuming familiarity with these three, Mary in particular, as he references that she is the one who would anoint Jesus and wipe His feet with her hair. As we have walked through the gospel of John so far, we haven’t yet seen that event. In fact, it happens at the beginning of the next chapter. This seems to indicate that Mary was well known among the early church and John assumed that his readers would likewise know who he was talking about.

Lazarus was sick and about to die. Knowing Jesus personally, the sisters send for Jesus to come and perhaps He can do something about it before it’s too late. This of course betrays their limited knowledge of the power and authority Jesus holds. Jesus declares something profound in verse 4 that even for the reader who knows how the story goes is hard to believe. This story will not end in death. Little did they know that death in fact has a great deal to do with what happens, just not the end of it. But Jesus’ attitude towards death reveals His confidence in what is about to happen.

Verse 5 clearly tells us about Jesus’ love for the siblings. So when verse 6 tells us that Jesus delays and stays put for two extra days, it almost seems to contrast against this declared love. Jesus going into the Judean region meant risking His own life because opposition to Jesus and His ministry was growing deadlier by the day. The disciples express their concern for His safety, but Jesus reassures them and then declares in verse 11 that Lazarus has fallen asleep. He is referring to Lazarus having died, but the disciples misunderstand and think Jesus means literal sleep… sleep is good for a sick person isn’t it? Jesus clarifies and says… John 11:14–15 “So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.””

One thing to note is that Jesus’ delay did not cause Lazarus’ death. One commentary suggests that Lazarus likely died immediately following the departure of the messengers sent to find Jesus, taking into account travel time between Bethany and where Jesus was working at that time. Not only would travel have taken a couple days, but finding Jesus would have also taken time, and then Jesus’ travel to Bethany. By the time Jesus arrives (glance at verse 17), Lazarus had been dead for four days and was already burried. There is no other explanation for what will happen than that Jesus performed a miracle of resurrection.

Gary M. Burge, NIVAC: John, p. 313.

Jesus and the Sisters

John 11:17–37 NASB95

So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.” When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?”

When Jesus arrives in Bethany we see the greatest example of pastoral care. Jesus approaches and Martha comes out. Martha’s expression is what we might expect from someone familiar with Jesus and His ministry (note that Mary’s response is virtually identical). Jesus, the miracle worker and healer could have done something to prevent this tragedy! Jesus points her towards the future, although which future He is pointing to is debateable. He says “Your brother will rise again.” Martha understands this to mean that Jesus is talking about the end times and the resurrection. Jesus has something much more immanent in mind. John 11:25–26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”” Martha declares ultimate trust in Jesus in verse 27, confessing Jesus as the Son of God and declaring her belief in Him. I would remind us that as we have walked through John’s gospel, he has been careful to explain on multiple occasions that salvation requires belief in Jesus Christ and Martha’s decalration is John’s way of telling the reader that she’s bound for heaven!

Martha sends word to her sister that Jesus is there and Mary comes in a hurry. Her grief is apparent and Jesus remains silent with her. It is to those gathered there that Jesus directs His next words and asks where Lazarus lay.

Here is a Bible Memorization challenge for everybody. John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” The reference is harder to remember than the verse. Jesus is fully human in addition to being fully divine. He knows the full human experience and mourns in this circumstance. Although I wonder what exactly He is crying about. Is He crying over Lazarus? Knowing what He will soon do, I find that unlikiely. Perhaps He is mourning the emotional responses of those gathered there?

Those gathered see Jesus’ tears and note His great love for Lazarus. And yet some gathered there take the opportunity to question why Jesus didn’t do anything to prevent this. We can’t be so hard on these people as Mary and Martha both expressed similar sentiments.

All of this was done with purpose and according to plan.

Jesus Resurrects Lazarus

John 11:38–44 NASB95

So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. “I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Jesus calls for the stone to be removed. I want to note briefly the burial practices that are at play. One commentary notes: “We can assume that Lazarus was buried in a rock-cut tomb of the type that have been discovered throughout the hills of Judea. Inside a cave room, burial benches were cared in stone along the inner wall. The body was prepared here and then laid in horizontally cut burial tunnels about six feet deep and there left to decompose. After a year or so, the body was removed from the koch and the bones placed in a liemstone “burial box” (an ossuary). The tomb was closed (and reopened fur further burials) with a wheel-shaped “rolling stone” fitted to cover the entrance in as tone channel.”

Gary M. Burge, NIVAC: John, p. 315.

Jesus calls for the stone to be removed and those gathered there remark that it has already been four days and that there would be a stench. Lazarus was truly dead. Jesus’ words prevail and the stone is removed. Jesus then prays to His Father audibly, but acknowledges in His prayer that He prays audibly not for His own sake, but for the sake of those gathered there listening to His prayer. All of this is done so that the people would believe in Jesus.

Jesus calls Lazarus out of the grave and the people are amazed. Lazarus is still bound in the burial clothes and Jesus calls for Him to be unbound and let go.

Plotting Murder...

John 11:45–57 NASB95

Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves. So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.

Understandably, people are amazed at what they had just witnessed and many begin to believe In Jesus. However, some go and report to the Pharisees about all of this and the plots to arrest Jesus take a much darker turn.

The religious leaders can stand Jesus no longer. He clearly demonstrates Power and Authority they do not comprehend and cannot acknowledge. Therefore He is a threat to be eliminated. Caiaphas is named as the high priest that year and seems to be one of the main instigators for the persecution and plots forming against Jesus. According to verse 51, Caiaphas had prophesied earlier that year that Jesus would die for the nation and it seems that he is willing to make the prophesy true all on his own if he has to. Deuteronomy 18:20–22 “‘But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ “You may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” According to this scripture, if Caiaphas’ prophecy didn’t come true, this would have been the fate that awaited him. John 11:53 “So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.”

Jesus is in enemy territory and begins to conceal His movements until the right time.

Conclusion

Jesus resurrecting Lazarus stands as a true turning point in John’s gospel. It signifies His entry into Judea and his proximity to opposition only intensifies the confrontations. When Jesus demonstrated His authority over death itself, it presented a serious problem for the religious leaders. He was consistently following through with showing the people that He has power and authority to teach what He teaches and it is confirmed through His power and authority to resurrect the dead!

But here is where I turn things around and ask us to think about what this means for us. Jesus resurrecting Lazarus was an amazing miracle to be sure, but what did it accomplish? When a loved one gets sick I’m sure the vast majority of us pray for perfect healing and for preservation of life. But what if Jesus came back and resurrected that loved one? What would that do? I want to be careful here because I don’t want to trample on hearts or to sound heartless myself. But Lazarus was returned to this life, much to the amazement and relief of his sisters and those gathered there, but what would eventually happen to him? He would have lived for a time and then died again. Did Lazarus see the “light at the end of the tunnel” when he was dead those four days? Was he before the Father in heaven? I don’t have answers for these questions, but what emotional relief would have been felt that day was only delayed for another day.

What the Lazarus story does for us is give us assurance that Jesus truly has the power to resurrect the dead. Lazarus’ temporary resurrection speaks to us of the reality of the true resurrection we will experience one day if we simply believe in Jesus Christ. I will close today’s message with Jesus’ response and question to Martha in John 11:25–26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?””